Put on your running shoes — it’s time for the 37th Annual Matanzas 5K. Saturday morning, January 21, race a quick 3.1 miles along a certified course through scenic downtown St Augustine. If you’re not the competitive type, there will be a one mile Fun Run immediately after. Both races are being put on by the Ancient City Road Runners and First Coast Rehabilitation.

Pick up your race packets in the Ketterlinus Elementary School Gym, at 60 Orange Street. At this same location will be a Runners Expo on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21. Expo vendors will display and demonstrate new designs in running gear and the latest in fitness and nutrition.

On Saturday, the starting line is at 29 West Castillo Drive, beside Francis Field and the City Parking Garage. The 5K begins at 8:00 AM, and the Fun Run starts at 9:15.

The entry fee is $30 in advance, or $35 the day of the race. Proceeds from this run go to benefit cross country programs in St. Johns County high schools and middle schools. The Matanzas 5K and Fun Run has raised over $75,000 for student runners over the past five years.

If you spend the weekend at Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast, you know you’ll be well-rested for the race. All of our beds have pillow-top mattresses and lush Comphy bedding. Some rooms, like the Topaz Room, have rain head showers among their luxurious touches. We have plenty of water and other beverages to quench your post-race thirst, and if you race back from the finish line, you’ll be on time for our Chef’s Choice breakfast of the day — luscious entree, fresh fruit, hearty protein and sweet pastry. If that’s not worth running toward, we don’t know what is.